The Press., 1887-09-15
WASHINGTON LETTER.


 The local attraction this week of the ma tional capital is the worlds medical con gress. Between four and five thousand physicians are here, gathered from the four quarters of civilization. Taken as a whole, it is rare that one witnesses n more intelligent or finer looking body of men. The program is very elaborate for the en- tire week, and admirably arranged for the pleasure and social enjoyment of the visit. ors as we'll as for the advancement of tho special science that calls together so many distinguished men. The sudden transfor- nation of the capital from politics to med icine has its amusing side, and many very ludicrous incidents are noted. It is GUS tomary here to give. nearly every one n military or judicial title, and in ordinary times it is general, colonel, major or judge, but such an influx of M. D. this week has changed entirely the social salutations, and it is now all doctor" The news boys and boot blacks, who are keen and sharp witted, and always have an eye open for opportunity, seize the occasion to apply the prevailing title promiscuously, which often results in great merriment and fro- quent extra nickle. The real doctors take in the situation and enjoy the joke with all others.
 Congressman Randall has been summon ed here this week to join the president, Secretary of the Treasury Fairchild, and Speaker Carlisle in the discussion of the tariff and revenue questions, and to formu- late, if possible, some sort of n plan that will unite the democratic factions in the next congress. To secure union there must be big back down on the part of both wings, which is hardly presumable. never saw Randall when be looked more complacent than now, and though extreme ly reticent, his friends understand and at- sert that no begging or party pleading will swerve him for moment. 1t is fur ther understood that there is not the best personal feeling existing between Carlisle and Randall, and that Carlisle scents some. thing in the breeze, and seriously thinks of withdrawing as a candidate for the next speakership, and will if the party will agree to unite on Crisp of Georgia. Why this preference is a great mystery. Crisp is young man, has only been four years in congress, is an Englishman by birth, served in the confederate army, and pos sesses only medium abilities. The bait seems too small for any great catch, aud yet have the best of authority for assert ing that Carlisle and the president have thrown it upon the troubled waters with the hope of favorable results.
 You know there is a vacancy on the su- preme court bench, caused by the death of Justice Woods, several months ago, and it has never been filed. These judicial posi- tions are the best gifts under government. They are removed from the wrangle and strife of politics, last for life, and pay the nice little sum of $10,000 year, with very generous list of perquisites. Why the president has not filled the vacancy I hof,r iu pt .f ha anlg af cants, but because there has been such n fearful clamor, especially from the south. ern states, for the desirable prize. It is now rumored, with a good degree of au- thenticity, that the president has decided to appoint Secretary Lamar to the bench, and then fill the vacancy in the interior department by the appointment of Ex- Governor Patterson, of Pennsylvania. Lamar is a man of very distinguished abil- ity, and his management of the interior de. pertinent has been one of the greatest re- deeming features of this administration, and his appointment to the supreme court will doubtless be as acceptable as any that Mir. Cleveland would be likely to make. That there Is an out-and-out rupture be- tween the administration and the mug wumps, is no longer a debatable question. and it is we'll understood here that tie | ONoE hIe fact. That the mugwumps have proved a serious iro ,bus IS no doubt true, and that they elected Mir. Cleveland is equally true, and that they ought to have known that such an unnatural alliance would prove of short duration is the synonym of truth it. self. The mugwupps as a political factor have no further existence-the most em- phatically "played- out" skeleton of an or ganization that ever had political recogni. tion. From now on they will cut no figure in the democratic party manipulations, - they are out, and the door is closed agains, them. The democratic leaders have beck. oned over from the prohibition camp a new hirt, and the love making now going on is extremely ridiculous. Think of mod. est maiden temperance cooing with mod ern democracy. The wire-pullers here arc actually iubilant over the prospect of q seemingly serious courtship.